How to Make Easy Money in the Summer

Summer is one of the best times of year to earn some quick, flexible cash — whether you’re a student on break, someone in between jobs, or just hoping to pad your savings. The weather’s warm, people are traveling, and seasonal needs open the door to all kinds of short-term money-making opportunities. Best of all, many of these ideas don’t require a long-term commitment or much startup money.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the easiest and most practical ways to make money during the summer months. From outdoor gigs like yard work and dog walking to digital options like freelance writing and running an online thrift store, these twelve side hustles can help you hit your financial goals without giving up all your free time. Let’s get started.

1. Tutor

Tutoring is a great way to earn extra money, especially if you enjoy keeping your mind active. There are lots of ways you could take this idea, too. If you’ve got a good working knowledge of a lot of different subjects, you could be a full-service tutor who meets with kids once a week during the summer months to help them keep their skills sharp.

Alternatively, if you’re especially skilled in one particular subject, you could make tutoring in that subject a full-time summer job. You could help young students get ahead or catch back up. Alternatively, you could reach out to local community colleges to see if they’re hiring tutors for the summer tutors. They also might let you post an ad on their bulletin boards for your tutoring services.

Tutoring can be a great fit for anyone who’s willing to put in the work to make and execute lesson plans. A high schooler could tutor elementary students to raise extra money for their summer camp trip or to start saving for college. A college student could tutor middle schoolers or high school students. Meanwhile, a working professional could tutor college students in their area of expertise: math, science, and writing are just a few in-demand topics that could be in your skill set. You could also teach English as a second language (ESL).

Tutoring has low overhead costs, as you can often meet your clients at the local libraries or in their own homes (or yours). You can have flexible hours, too. Depending on your rates and the number of hours you work, you could expect to earn money in the range of $1,500 to $4,500 during a single summer.

Related Resources:

• How to Start a Tutoring Business

2. Lifeguard

You’re on summer vacation after a long school year. You probably want it to feel like summer, even if you take on extra work to save money. Why not tackle lifeguarding as a summer job?

Being a lifeguard can be a fun job for almost anyone who’s responsible: a high school or college student, a teacher who wants to be in the sun, or anyone who wants a little extra work. You do need to be physically fit to be a lifeguard, though, so you can be prepared for lifesaving activities and being out in the elements during the day.

You will need a lifeguard certification to get a summer job as a lifeguard, but some pools and waterparks will help pay for the certification if you don’t already have it.

Ultimately, lifeguarding can be a fun summer job, too. Yes, you’ll always need to be alert for water safety hazards, but you will also get to enjoy time by the pool or the beach, improve your tan, and work outdoors while making decent money. Talk about a win-win.

Depending on where you work and your experience, you could reasonably expect to make between $2,000 to $6,000 in a single summer of lifeguarding, especially if it’s your full-time job during the summer months.

3. House Flipping

House flipping can be one of the more demanding ways to make money during the summer, but it can be really lucrative. House flipping is a unique real estate investment where you buy one property (usually one that’s rundown or out of date), make improvements to it, and sell it at a profit. In some cases, house flippers just buy a property and sell it later at a profit, but that takes a bit more patience waiting for the perfect moment in a hot housing market (so that particular type of flipping might not be the best for a summer job).

House flipping probably best suits professionals who have the startup capital in their savings account needed to make renovations on a flip. This could be a good fit for teachers with renovation savvy. It could even work for parents with older school-age kids as a family project (and a chance to learn valuable skills). But if you’ve got the money and the know-how, flipping houses lets you work on your own schedule, and hopefully, sell at a nice profit after you’ve done the odd jobs that a house needs.

If the market’s good and your renovations add meaningful value to the home, you could potentially make $10,000 to $40,000 (depending on the cost of the renovations you do and the number of homes you renovate).

4. House Sitting or Pet Sitting

If you’re looking for a simple gig (you’re on summer vacation too, after all), house sitting or pet sitting can be a nice balance between relaxing and making money. Depending on the homeowner, you’d either stay at the house or drop in daily to see that the house is intact, water plants, pick up the mail, get packages off the porch, and so on. This business idea can be a good fit for anyone who’s responsible and has a car to drive to the homes they’re serving.

You can start this business on your own, but it’s also possible to use online platforms like Trusted House Sitters or Rover to help you find jobs. A big benefit of this business is that there are very low startup costs (probably just fees for advertising your services or joining online platforms).

House sitting and pet sitting in your spare time can be a decent way to earn cash; you might be able to earn between $800 and $2,500 in a single summer, depending on the number of jobs you take. Another plus? You can probably take on other remote work, like freelance writing or virtual assistant work (both covered below), as a second job on top of this one. Multiple side hustles could help you raise a lot of spare cash.

5. Drive an ice cream truck

If you don’t mind hearing people scream for ice cream, then driving an ice cream truck could be a fun way to make money during the summer months. This business idea works well for licensed drivers who don’t mind working a variety of hours, including weekends.

There are several different ways you could take this idea. You could start by working for an established ice cream truck company as a driver. Alternatively, you could build your own business; keep in mind, if you went that route, you’d have to do some more legwork to get licensure, buy a truck, stock inventory, and so on.

Depending on the approach you take, you can probably make between $3,000 and $8,000 driving an ice cream truck. The areas you serve will also greatly affect how many sales you make; affluent neighborhoods and those with lots of young families will usually yield better sales.

Related Resources:

• How to Start a Food Truck Business
• Profitable Food Business Ideas

6. Be a caddie

If you live near a golf course, working as a caddie can be a surprisingly lucrative way to spend your summer days. Caddies help golfers by carrying bags, offering advice on course strategy, and keeping clubs clean and organized. The job is outdoors, flexible, and tends to pay well in tips — especially at private or high-end courses. While it does require some physical stamina, you don’t need prior golf experience for many entry-level roles.

You can approach local golf courses directly to see if they’re hiring summer caddies or join a caddie program if one is offered. Some courses operate on a “loop” basis, where you carry bags for one or two players per round, earning between $50 and $100 per round (not including tips).

If you’re caddying a few days a week, you could earn between $1,000 and $3,000 over the course of a summer. The work is relatively straightforward, and your main startup cost might just be a good pair of walking shoes.

7. Walk Dogs

If you’re a dog lover looking for an easy way to make money on your own schedule, dog walking could be your go-to summer gig. Many pet owners need help walking their dogs during the workday or while traveling, especially in warmer months. It’s a great fit for people who enjoy light exercise and want flexible hours.

You can start by promoting your services to neighbors or listing yourself on platforms like Rover or Wag, which help connect dog walkers with local pet owners. Dog walkers typically charge $15 to $30 per walk, and you may be able to walk multiple dogs at once for higher payouts.

Assuming you walk dogs a few times a day, several days a week, you might earn anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000 over the summer. Plus, walking dogs can pair well with other jobs like house sitting or yard work, making it a strong addition to a summer side hustle stack.

8. Yard Work

Yard work is a summer classic — and for good reason. Most homeowners don’t enjoy sweating it out in the summer heat, which creates plenty of opportunities for motivated individuals to earn cash. You can mow lawns, pull weeds, trim bushes, spread mulch, and even offer seasonal services like planting flowers or maintaining vegetable gardens.

You’ll need some basic equipment (or plan to use the homeowner’s tools), but otherwise, startup costs are low. If you want to invest in your own lawn mower and other tools, you can take on more clients and increase your earning potential. Advertising via neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, flyers, or word-of-mouth can help you grow quickly.

Depending on the size of the yards and services provided, you could easily earn between $1,500 and $4,000 over the summer. If you build a steady client base, you might even continue the work into fall with leaf raking and cleanup services. You can probably also serve the same clients summer after summer, too.

9. Washing Cars

Washing cars might not sound glamorous, but it’s a low-barrier way to start earning money right away. It’s simple to offer — all you need are basic supplies like buckets, sponges, soap, and microfiber cloths — and you can easily set up in your driveway or go to customers’ homes. Offer basic washes or upgrade packages with waxing or interior vacuuming for a little extra.

Promote your services in your neighborhood, on social media, or at local businesses. You can even team up with a friend or sibling and split the earnings while getting more done. Prices typically range from $10 to $40 per vehicle depending on the level of service.

If you wash just five to ten cars per week, you could earn anywhere from $800 to $2,500 over the summer — and potentially more if you expand to fleet or business vehicle contracts.

10. Freelance Writing

If you have a knack for words and a strong grasp of grammar, freelance writing can be one of the most flexible and rewarding summer side gigs. Writers are needed for all kinds of projects — blog posts, social media captions, email newsletters, product descriptions, and even ghostwriting for professionals or influencers. As long as you have a reliable internet connection and a laptop, you can do this work from anywhere and set your own hours, too.

There are several ways to get started, but using online freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are probably some of the easiest ways to get started. If you already have a niche area of expertise — such as healthcare, parenting, or small business — you may be able to charge higher rates for your insights.

New freelance writers often start around $25 to $50 per article, but experienced or specialized writers can earn significantly more. If you write just a few articles per week, you might earn between $1,000 and $3,000 over the summer. With consistent clients and strong marketing, you could make even more good money — and maybe turn your summer hustle into a full-time career after you gain experience.

Related Resources:

• How to Start a Business
• 9 Steps to Having a Successful Blog

11. Food Delivery

Food delivery is one of the most accessible and flexible ways to earn extra money during the summer — and it doesn’t require any formal experience. With mobile apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, or Instacart, you can sign up, get approved quickly, and start earning within days. You’ll need a reliable car, a smartphone, and the willingness to spend a few hours on the road. Some platforms even allow delivery by bicycle or scooter in urban areas.

This side hustle works especially well in the summer because people are out and about, ordering takeout while on vacation or hosting backyard gatherings. You can set your own hours and work as much or as little as you want, making it easy to fit around other jobs or summer plans. You might also earn tips on top of base pay, which can significantly boost your income when you deliver food.

Depending on your location, availability, and the demand in your area, you could make between $1,000 and $3,500 of extra income in a single summer. Peak hours like weekend evenings and lunch rushes can be especially profitable. It’s a low-barrier business idea with immediate earning potential — perfect for anyone looking to make extra cash fast.

12. Online Thrift Shop

If you have an eye for fashion, enjoy curating unique finds, or just have some clutter to clear out, starting an online thrift shop could be a creative way to earn summer cash. You can sell gently used clothing, accessories, shoes, or vintage items through user-friendly platforms like Poshmark, Depop, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Some sellers source inventory from local thrift stores or yard sales and resell it online at a markup, but you can just as easily start with items you already own. You could also cater to a niche such as baby gear, luxury activewear brands, or something else.

The key to success with an online thrift shop is presentation. Take clear, well-lit photos, write accurate product descriptions, and set competitive prices to help you sell items. The more consistently you list in demand items, the more visibility you’ll gain — and potentially, the more you’ll sell. Social media can also help you market your shop and build a loyal customer base over time.

This side hustle takes more upfront effort than food delivery or dog walking, but the earning potential is solid. If you commit to listing regularly and stay active on the platform, it’s realistic to earn $500 to $2,000 or more in a summer, depending on your inventory and effort. Plus, it’s a great way to turn secondhand stuff into cash while contributing to sustainable fashion.

Conclusion

Whether you’re getting a head start on saving for a big trip, trying to pay off some bills, or just looking for a little extra cushion in your savings, summer is a great time to explore flexible, low-barrier ways to earn money. From mowing lawns and walking dogs to launching a mini online shop or freelance career, there are dozens of creative and accessible ways to make it happen.

The best part? Many of these summer gigs require minimal startup costs and can be done in your free time. That gives you the freedom to enjoy your summer — and still reach your financial goals. So pick the ideas that align with your interests and get started. You never know — a simple summer side hustle could turn into your next full-time venture.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.